Chapter 55 She threw the lonely figure out like trash…
Jiang Wanwan held the lotus pod in her hands and offered it to Shen Jizhao, expressing her feelings for him directly. This was the first time she had ever been so brave.
She had seen many people more beautiful than herself, but she had never seen a man as stunning as him.
He captured her heart at first sight.
She thought, she should muster up the courage to get a little closer to him, just a little bit.
Her heart was as sweet as honey.
Shen Jizhao's expression was far from good. A crack appeared on the usually indifferent man's face. He only gave Jiang Wanwan a warning glance before turning his back and refusing to look at her again, as if even touching her would taint his eyes.
What kind of troublemaker is this, daring to openly approach him!
He is, after all, the Crown Prince. This woman is simply outrageous!
He couldn't possibly give her a friendly look, so he pulled Jiang Shuifu and headed into the cabin.
Jiang Shuifu took in his complete disdain for Jiang Wanwan, and her heart suddenly stirred with ripples, like bubbles of all sizes rising up.
Her feelings were somewhat complicated, and she didn't know how to express them.
Suddenly, her wrist was pulled and dragged inward. She looked at the person who had pulled her, and a surge of anger welled up inside her again. She struggled and said:
"Let me go! What are you doing! There are so many people watching!"
Shen Jizhao didn't respond to her, but kept pulling her into the cabin.
As dusk began to fall, preparations for the banquet on the pleasure boat began, with servants and maids bustling about on both decks.
The top level is a pavilion on the water, with delicate white curtains fluttering down to the eaves of the bottom level, and no one can enter.
Jiang Shuifu shook off his hand and refused to follow him any further.
The sudden appearance of two flirtatious people in the cabin naturally caused quite a stir. He cast a sharp glance at them, and they dared not look at him again, keeping their eyes fixed on their work.
Shen Jizhao: "Come upstairs with me, or I can stay here..."
He whispered the rest of his words in Jiang Shuifu's ear, and she opened her eyes wide. What was he saying?
Shen Jizhao wasn't joking. He forcefully continued to pull her forward. His strength was great, and although he controlled it so as not to hurt her, he didn't give her any room to fight back. She knew that he was angry.
What does he have to be angry about! What does his anger have to do with her!
Soon they went up to the second floor, and Jiang Shuifu was led to a secluded room. Then, with a "bang!", Shen Jizhao closed the door and bolted it tightly.
She was angry and flustered, and ran to the door to try to open the completely closed room.
Before her hand could even touch the door latch, a wad of cloth was thrown over her head. She instinctively caught it, took it off, and then untied the tangled cloth.
It turned out to be a skirt.
His indifferent tone came through, as casually as if he were discussing the weather:
"Put these on, you're all wet, be careful not to catch a cold."
Jiang Shuifu held the dress without moving, having no intention of listening to him at all. She tossed the dress aside and turned to leave.
A cold voice came from behind him, its tone several degrees darker than before:
"You can't get out. If it were me, I would let you out."
Jiang Shuifu turned around instantly, staring at him fiercely, as if he were some heinous criminal.
Seeing the disgust in her eyes, Shen Jizhao walked towards her with heavy steps, his gaze dark and cold, yet he still tried his best to control his temper, softening his tone as he asked her:
"Don't look at me like that. What you're worried about won't happen. I've already saved her as you wished. Aren't you satisfied?"
It wasn't until he got closer that Jiang Shuifu saw the restrained anger hidden in his eyes. This kind of anger usually comes at the cost of physical coercion, and she instinctively wanted to run away.
The man, his cheeks bulging with anger, encircled her, one hand gripping the door. Under her gaze, he lowered his head gently, like a vulnerable cat seeking its master's pats, admitting defeat.
"I told you, I won't treat you like before. I'm very angry, angry that you pushed me out so easily. You knew she had bad intentions, yet you still made me go save her. Her life is important, but my reputation isn't? Up until now, I only have you! How could you throw me out like trash!"
Jiang Shuifu was stunned. She only really took in a few words of what he said: "He's trash, throw him out."
What surprised her even more was his attitude. When she married him, at first his anger would only be used to punish her. Later, when he got angry, he liked to forcefully touch her, forcing her to become weak and admit her mistakes. But now he…
I've learned to endure, to feign endurance.
She smiled and said, "Shen Jizhao, I really gave you too much face before. Who do you think you are? Why should you torment me when you're angry and upset? You're right, in my eyes you are just..."
Before she could utter those two words, the man suddenly forced her to the window and then abruptly pushed it open.
"Get in here, Jiang Junyu of Su Yang! Bring your family!"
Jiang Junyu, who was below, was stunned by Shen Jizhao's shout and didn't react for a while until Jiang Wanwan next to him excitedly pulled his arm onto the painted boat, and he finally took off running up.
Shen Jizhao then called out to a large number of officials in one breath, and these officials gratefully and flatteringly greeted him, "Greetings, Governor Zhu!"
As he invited people to board the pleasure boat, his eyes were fixed on the woman in front of him.
Jiang Shuifu suddenly realized: "So it was you! You're the extremely wealthy person my second uncle was talking about! So... you used them to threaten me?"
Shen Jizhao's teeth started grinding again. "Is this the kind of person you think I am?"
She didn't speak, but the fierceness in her eyes betrayed her thoughts.
Even his good temper had been worn down to almost nothing: "I won't now, I just want to use him to get close to you."
But later, he didn't finish his sentence; he left it unsaid for her.
His despicable nature was fully aroused by her. He turned his face slightly to the side, exposing half of it to outsiders, while lowering his head to approach her neck, as if he were about to kiss her at any moment.
She shifted her body slightly, and he stopped his advances. He hadn't intended to do so anyway. He whispered in her ear:
"You can switch, or I can switch. We're both dirty anyway. Which do you think is better?"
Jiang Shuifu immediately looked up and glared at him hatefully. Her gaze made his heart ache again, and he softened his tone, explaining:
"If you go out like this, there will be no space for men. I just want to protect you!"
Jiang Shuifu didn't look at him again, picked up her clothes from the ground, and hid behind the screen to change. She was utterly disdainful of his explanation.
"Whether you're protecting me or teaching me a lesson, you know the answer!"
After she changed, she rushed out of the house, slamming the door shut with a deafening roar!
Shen Jizhao sighed, forced a stiff smile.
She knew him too well. He could have easily given her the space to change her clothes, but he didn't. He wasn't made of clay; he had a temper too. He wanted her to know that there would never be a next time she pushed him away and made him risk his life to save others!
The banquet on the painted boat officially began.
Shen Jizhao also changed into a moon-white robe. The moonlight had arrived, and the pink and white lotus flowers that had appeared during the day could no longer be seen on the lake. Everything in the world was shrouded in darkness.
Only the lanterns on the painted boats shone alone.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Jiang Junyu was repeatedly plied with wine by the officials around him, and Jiang Junyan also made many friends as a result.
Although these people saw that Shen Jizhao had taken the initiative to save Jiang Wanwan, they did not pay special attention to Jiang Junyu because of this incident, after all, his daughter was not someone who could climb the social ladder.
However, it wasn't until Shen Jizhao was the first to invite the little-known Jiang Junyu to his pleasure boat that they had to look at him more seriously and think about him more deeply.
Someone then seized the opportunity to test him:
"Lord Jiang, you are now the first guest on this pleasure boat. We are all extremely envious!"
"But when did you get on the bridge with the governor? Tell us!"
Jiang Junyu declined, but the smile in her eyes was obvious: "Not at all! You're too kind!"
······
Jiang Shuifu's mind was not on the banquet, so she didn't notice that the dishes, fruits, and drinks on the table were all her favorites.
She sat blankly at the bow of the boat, gazing at the constantly shifting lake water, surrounded by the chirping sounds of the water:
"You know, he saved me, so doesn't he... at least not dislike me, right?"
Jiang Wanwan blushed shyly, and, stirring her handkerchief, poured out all her girlish thoughts:
"Such a handsome man actually disregarded the rules of propriety between men and women and saved me when I was soaking wet. He is such a good person. I can't miss out on such a good person!"
As Jiang Shuifu listened, she suddenly raised an eyebrow curiously: "What if your liking someone was a mistake from the start?"
Jiang Wanwan exclaimed, "I like him, that's all! There's no right or wrong in it. I'll just keep chasing after him!"
Yes, that's what she used to think too, but now it feels like a lifetime has passed. She raised her wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
In a daze, she seemed to see a young girl, smiling and carrying a flower basket, going to find him, then turning away dejectedly.
All because of one sentence he said: "Don't come looking for me again!"
She stood up slightly, turned and walked inside, but after a few steps she met He Beiqing. He refused the wine offered by his colleagues, saying that he did not drink!
Ha! They're all liars!
Shen Jizhao sat high on the platform, not drinking, but his gaze precisely fixed on her through the layers of people.
She seemed a little drunk, which made him feel threatened again. She would never drink in front of him before, let alone get this drunk!
The large pleasure boat was bustling with people, noisy and lively, but he could instantly quiet it down the moment he opened his mouth:
"I felt an instant connection with Lord Jiang upon meeting him today. May I ask if I may pay him a visit sometime in the future? By the way, is your daughter alright?"
Lord Jiang? There are two Lord Jiangs on the field, but anyone with eyes can see that Shen Jizhao is calling for Jiang Junyu.
Jiang Junyu was utterly flattered and overjoyed. He steadied himself, who was about to stagger, and knelt down to reply:
"Your humble servant will be ready to await the Governor's arrival at any time! My elder brother and I will certainly host a grand banquet to welcome you!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Junyan quickly knelt down and showered him with compliments.
Jiang Junyu was in a dilemma. Had the governor just asked about his daughter, Jiang Wanwan? Why would he ask about Wan'er?
He was about to tentatively reply when Shen Jizhao pointed to Jiang Shuifu not far away and said:
"You seem a little drunk. If you don't mind, why don't you come to my waterside pavilion for a rest?"
Jiang Junyu was stunned. After figuring out the situation, she smiled and gently corrected him:
"That's not my daughter, it's my niece. She just arrived in Suyang and came to see the sights today!"
Shen Jizhao smiled. He wasn't there to admire the scenery; he was clearly there to select women. In this kind of setting, the women who came all had ulterior motives.
She's bold enough.
Jiang Shuifu heard his words. He wanted her to go up to that pavilion on the water, a place that ordinary people couldn't go up to. She knew all too well what he was planning.
She gave a wicked smile. She wouldn't go, but he made the suggestion in front of everyone, knowing she wouldn't embarrass her uncle. She neither refused nor agreed.
The next moment, she pretended to faint, hoping to escape, but she underestimated his abilities.
Before she could "faint," Shen Jizhao sent her a message: "If she gets too drunk, this governor wouldn't mind sending someone to escort her back. After all, it wouldn't be proper to be impolite on my turf!"
mean!
Waterside pavilion.
The woman leaned languidly against the couch, the thin, white curtains in front of her fluttering in the wind, falling to the hem of her skirt. Her crimson hibiscus-colored skirt billowed slightly, making her appear even more radiant.
She smiled:
"You've arrived."
Shen Jizhao walked step by step toward her, and smiled gently, "How did you know I was coming? You truly are my wife!"
Jiang Shuifu was displeased: "He's just my ex-wife, my shameless ex-husband, what tricks are you trying to pull now!"
Shen Jizhao was taken aback by her address. "Ex-husband, you shameless dog?" It had a rather unusual connotation! At least, she admitted that there was more to the relationship than met the eye.
He just preferred the word "husband".
He sat down beside her, his robes slowly billowing open, his legs spread wide, exuding an air of superiority, surveying the world with an air of arrogance:
"Isn't it beautiful? This night view? The moonlight on the horizon is within reach, the shimmering water is beneath your feet, and all living things are as insignificant as ants. As long as you want it, I can give it to you!"
Jiang Shuifu was still drunk. She pulled the hem of her skirt that he had pressed down on and nimbly slid to the side: "Nobody wants these!"
Shen Jizhao then extended an olive branch, offering enticing incentives: "Your family is my family. As long as I am alive, your father's and mother's families will prosper and flourish. I can even bestow titles and honors upon them! Don't you want to consider it?"
Jiang Shuifu couldn't stop smiling. She felt that he was now like a corrupt and wasteful official who was abusing his power for personal gain!
Shen Jizhao frowned, moved to sit next to her, and took her hand. Her body then leaned against his chest.
She was drunk. He looked at her bright red lips, which were not only moist but also exuded the sweet aroma of fruit wine. He lowered his head as if possessed.
Just as he was about to cover those cherry lips he had longed for in his dreams, a whistle suddenly blew.
The whistle was a signal from He Beiqing, indicating that something was amiss.
The whistle snapped him back to his senses, and the person so close to him gradually opened their eyes, pouting and curving their lips into a captivating smile: "Pah!"
Jiang Shuifu slapped him again!
Strike him for taking advantage of others' misfortunes! Strike him for his delusions of grandeur! Strike him for his arrogance and domineering ways!
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Author's Note: Slaps are a must, Shen Gouzi just needs a good beating. Second update!
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